The Position:

Literature reviews on the Arab region show that there is an increasing demand for sexuality education by young people. In addition, there are challenges that refrain young people to achieve their full potential, realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights, access to information and services which could increase their vulnerability and expose them to risky behaviours.

On the other side, there are opportunities to improve the integration of CSE programming in the region. Most countries in the Arab region are signatory t o international frameworks and conventions stipulating the commitment to avail SRH information and services for youth and adolescents and decrease female genital mutilation and child marriage. Civil society organizations and the media are playing an important role in promoting SRH&RR and comprehensive sexuality education through various channels, including social networks. Good practices from outside the region  show integration of CSE in school curricula, with accompanying tools and guidance for the teachers.

Last year, UNFPA Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) conducted a desk review of the CSE in the region highlighting the challenges, opportunities and lessons learnt from sexuality education in the Arab.

There are also other initiatives that should be reviewed such as ‘Love matters’ initiative, the experience of CSE in Tunisia, and the UN Inter-agency CSE International technical guidance on sexuality education: an evidence-informed approach.

Consultant will report to the youth adviser, Mr. Samir Anouti.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Building on this exercise, ASRO, is planning to develop a position paper and a guidance note on CSE in the Arab region. For this purpose, a consultant will be hired to develop these documents which will be utilized as an advocacy tool throughout the region. The consultant is expected to facilitate an Expert Group Meeting on Comprehensive Sexuality Education for the Arab region, with the objective   to improve integration of CSE programming at national level and taking into account the variety of contexts.

You would be responsible for:

The consultant shall develop the position paper and guidance note on CSE in the Arab region

More specifically, the consultant should:

• Share an inception plan for developing position paper and guidance note one week after the signature of the contract. This plan should be discussed and agreed with the ASRO SRH unit and youth unit.
• Ensure a literature review of the most relevant references and strategic frameworks:  UNFPA and UN frameworks on CSE, UN interagency CSE international technical guidance on sexuality education, ICPD, Nairobi commitments, etc.
• Facilitate a virtual meeting with country offices onto understand better and summarize the challenges in implementing CSE in the region.
• Develop a position paper and guidance note for the Arab region. A draft of both documents should be ready by the end of June 2020.
• Facilitate the Expert Group Meeting: the objective of the meeting is to discuss current situation, challenges and opportunities for integration of CSE into national frameworks. The expert group meeting also offers the opportunity to adapt, review and validate the position paper and the guidance note.
• Share the final version of the position paper and the guidance note with SRH and youth teams for final review and validation by the end of July 2020.

Duration:  20-22 working days, note, if no EGM is held or the consultant is not able to attend, the contract will be for 20 working days only.

Place where services are to be delivered:

In light of the current situation due to CoViD-19, the consultancy shall be conducted remotely. If the situation evolves, in-person meetings might be organized while keeping the same conditions of this contract and where all travel related costs, if any, will be covered by ASRO.

Expected travel:

Not required unless there is a change in the current situation.  Thenceforth, all travel related costs, if any, will be covered by ASRO

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate degree in the field of relevance for the assignment: medical sciences, public health or any social sciences degrees.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional expertise in social sciences or related fields
• Previous experience working with UN or INGO on SRH, ASRH or youth will be an asset.
• Experience in facilitating workshops
• Previous experience with focus on CSE aspects is considered as an asset
• Excellent analytical and writing skills 
• Familiarity with the mandate of UNFPA
• Very good command in English and Arabic, both oral and written

Required compencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact.

Compensation and Benefits
 

This consultancy offers an attractive remuneration package.

How to apply:

1. Please email your CV/Resume along with a cover letter to asrovacancies@unfpa.org 
2. Please specify the position title in the email subject.
3. Only applications sent to asrovacancies@unfpa.org will be considered
4. Applications received after the deadline of June 9, 2020 will be disregarded

Disclaimer

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm